Cringeworthy as it was for many viewers, Antoine Griezmann s The Decision could still prove to be a landmark moment in Atletico Madrid s modern history. But not the one they expected.
The blockbuster, made in association with Gerard Pique’s production company and premiered to millions last year, saw Griezmann oh-so-dramatically agonise over his future before confirming he would be rejecting Barcelona to stay at Atletico.
As LaLiga s top two prepare to meet at Camp Nou on Saturday, Griezmann would hope to be getting ready for a decisive fixture, a chance to vindicate his choice and fire Atleti towards a first league triumph since 2013-14. In reality, with the gap standing at eight points, even a victory for the visitors looks unlikely to stop Barca secur…
Andre Silva will relish playing with the best in the world Cristiano Ronaldo if he is picked to start alongside the Real Madrid star for Portugal against Morocco at the World Cup.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos opted to pair Goncalo Guedes with Ronaldo from kick-off in the thrilling 3-3 draw with Spain in Sochi, where the captain of the Euro 2016 winners netted a stunning 88th-minute free-kick to deny one of the favourites, who were reeling from the shock sacking of coach Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the tournament.
Ronaldo, 33, became the oldest scorer of a hat-trick in World Cup history and just the fourth player to find the back of the net at four different editions of the tournament.
And should Santos elevate Silva to the starting XI, the AC Milan forward…
What the papers say
Arsenal’s attentions are again turning to Douglas Luiz, 25, as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his midfield options. The Daily Mirror reports Arsenal are expected to make a fresh bid for the Brazilian in January.
Brazilian Marcos Leonardo is expected to spark interest after his agent said he is keen on leaving Santos in January. The Evening Standard reports Arsenal and Manchester United are among the potential suitors for the 20=year-old forward.
Kylian Mbappe believes “there will be time to talk” about his future at Paris St-Germain, according to the Daily Mail, via Telefoot. The France forward, 24, has been the subject of increased speculation as his contract enters its final few months.
Jadon Sancho’s path out of Manchester United…
Monterrey star Carlos Sanchez has skipped his club s Liga MX final to be available for a Luis Suarez-less Uruguay in their sole Copa America Centenario warm-up friendly against Trinidad and Tobago.
Uruguay welcome Trinidad and Tobago to Montevideo on Friday as they gear up for their Copa campaign, which begins against Mexico at the University of Phoenix Stadium on June 5.
La Celeste will be without their captain and talisman Suarez, after he sustained a hamstring injury during Barcelona s Copa del Rey final victory over Sevilla last Sunday.
Suarez who missed last year s Copa due to suspension has joined up with the rest of Oscar Tabarez s squad, but is not expected to feature in any of Uruguay s three Group C fixtures.
However, experienced midfielder Sa…
Enzo Maresca got his first win as Chelsea boss with a dominant 3-0 victory over Club America in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke were on target from the penalty spot on either side of Marc Guiu s first goal since signing for the Blues.
It was a nightmare start for the Mexican side as Cristian Calderon gave away a penalty with just 72 seconds on the clock, and Nkunku coolly converted from 12 yards.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could have had two goals on his first Chelsea start, but after failing to hit the target, he set up Guiu to nod it past the flailing Luis Malagon.
Javairo Dilrosun gave Maresca s side a warning just before the break, striking the frame of the goal, but they failed to build on that threat in the second half.
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Christian Eriksen s love for football brings joy to Kasper Hjulmand, who believes Denmark must set out to win the World Cup.
Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark s first game of Euro 2020 against Finland in Copenhagen last year.
Denmark s players shielded their team-mate from the eyes of the crowd and cameras as Eriksen received emergency medical treatment.
The midfielder made an incredible recovery and six months later returned to action when he signed for Brentford, having been unable to play for Inter after having a cardioverter defibrillator device fitted.
Eriksen was superb for the Bees and earned a move to Manchester United, where he has made a strong start to the season and is back to spearhead Denmark s bid to go deep into the World Cu…
The A-League s attendance record was shattered on Saturday as 61,880 watched Sydney FC beat cross-city rivals the Western Sydney Wanderers 4-0 at ANZ Stadium.
The crowd for the opening round fixture of the new season eclipsed the previous mark of 55,436 for the 2007 Grand Final between Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United.
Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop is optimistic the interest will continue throughout the rest of the campaign.
He said: The crowd figure at the Sydney Derby at ANZ Stadium is a clear sign that the A-League season is off and running and that there is a huge groundswell of interest in the league this season.
All those people and families out there involved in football at some level but yet to have a connection with the A-…
Market: FC Sheriff win
Odds: 19/20 @
Needing to mount a second-leg comeback and extend on their Champions League qualifying adventure on Tuesday evening, FC Sheriff will welcome Farul Constanta to Tiraspol.
Starting with the hosts, putting in a flat first-leg display on foreign soil last week as they eventually slumped to a disappointing 1-0 loss, Sheriff know that they must now go about things the hard way on Tuesday evening. However, despite facing an uphill battle when they return to Tiraspol here, Roberto Bordin’s men should still be confident of extending on their Champions League qualifying adventure in midweek. Lifting yet another Moldovan Cup back on May 28th thanks to a nail-biting penalties victory against Balti, the Wasps signed off the 2022/23 Supe…
Ivan Rakitic feels like Barcelona have taken my ball after being confined to a marginal role at Camp Nou this season.
An influential performer since joining Barca ahead of their treble-winning 2014-15 campaign, Rakitic has been the odd man out this term following the big-money arrival of Netherlands star Frenkie de Jong.
The Croatia midfielder has only started on one of his seven LaLiga appearances, while three Champions League outings have all come from Ernesto Valverde s bench.
Asked about his predicament in an interview with Universo Valdano on Movistar, Rakitic replied: How can I enjoy it? It s like I ve said many times, how does my little daughter feel when you take a toy from here?
She feels sad. Well, I feel the same. They took my ball. I feel sad…
Newcastle United are interested in signing Mohammed Kudus from Ajax in the January transfer window, according to . The report has claimed the Premier League club have asked about the midfielder’s current situation following his impressive performances for Ghana at the ongoing 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.
Kudus has been on the books of Ajax since 2020 and has established himself as one of the best young midfielders in Eredivisie. The 22-year-old has done well for Ajax, both in the Dutch domestic league and in European club competitions.
The former Nordsjaelland midfielder has made five starts and nine substitute appearances in the Eredivisie for Ajax so far this season, scoring five goals in the process. Kudus has also made five starts and one substitute appearance …